Watering is key to growing plants well, so here we look at how to get it just right. This not only means providing the water our gardens need but using it wisely. Water is a precious resource and supplies in the UK are under pressure from the effects of climate change, population increase and the need to protect the environment. Generally, several aspects need to be considered.
When to water
Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants start to transpire (蒸腾) in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and to their leaves. Evening watering is also fine, as the cooler conditions mean less water is lost to evaporation (蒸发). Watering in the heat of the day is not a good idea, as much water is lost through evaporation from the surface of the soil. Plants will use water more efficiently if watered in the cooler parts of the day.
How to water
Watering thoroughly matters. It helps get the water down to the deeper root tips where it’s needed. But, equally important, the soil doesn’t have to be really wet all the time because plants roots need air as well as water to grow well. Otherwise, there might be no flower or fruit, and even a worse result might come along.
Other tips
To use water in the most economical way, it’s good to learn different plants’ watering requirements. For example, a container plant in hot sunny weather may need watering daily, whereas a mature shrub might only need a drink in extreme drought. Annual flowers and vegetables produced in the spring are likely to need more watering than self-sown or autumn grown plants as they have new and shallow root systems. So, don’t treat all the plants in the same way.
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Mountaineering
Mountaineering is the sport of climbing mountains — it’s all about challenge and perseverance, putting hands and feet on rocks, ice, and snow, and finally reaching a summit. There, high above the world of cities and civilization, the climber can pause and look out over a world ruled by nature and its raw beauty.
There are three separate phases (阶段) of mountain climbing: hiking, rock climbing, and snow and ice technique. Each phase requires a different set of skills. Hiking is the essential element of all climbing. Mountain climbers must be able to walk long distances without tiring. Some of the most difficult hours of a climb are those spent hiking on the trails of a mountain’s lower slopes. Rock climbers must know how to use equipment to help them move up and down the rocks. Most importantly, rock climbers must know how to use their hands and feet to make a successful climb. Hands are used for balance, and feet are used for support. Good mountaineers must also be familiar with the dangers of ice and snow conditions. They must be able to tell hidden crevasses and also be aware of when and where avalanches might occur.
Mountain climbing is a risky activity where you may encounter various dangers. Don’t take lightly no matter how easy your chosen peak might seem. Looks can be deceiving. The mountains are filled with danger and drama. Thunderstorms quickly form and drench (湿透) you with rain and snow. Rockfall and avalanches sweep down mountain faces. Difficulties can slow you, forcing you to camp in the open. You or your climbing partners can have an accident, causing all kinds of problems.
Yet, despite all this, the mountains draw climbers who love the natural world and possess an adventurous spirit. To reach the top of a mountain peak is not always easy, but climbers do enjoy the joy of the climbing most. It’s at those precious mountain moments that you will remember Helen Keller’s words: “A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.”
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